Seriously, change is going to happen, whether we like it or not. Musical styles, hair styles, fashions, car designs, technologies, attitudes, climates, and the weather, just to name a few things. Nothing stays the same. Even our bodies are a study in change. Old cells die off, new ones are formed. From moment to moment we're not the same beings. So, why is it that we resist change? Why are we scared of it? What attaches us to a certain moment in time? Are we scared that it will never be as good, or even better than it is right now?
As musicians, we can set ourselves into a style, but that style is going to go out of popularity. Sure, it might eventually come back, but what do we do in the meantime? I mean, you have legacy acts like the Stones, or AC/DC that ride waves of popularity, but can that really sustain an up and coming act these days? What is the aversion to growing as artists? Seriously, I don't understand it? Is it really "selling out" to ensure that you prolong your career? I think I'm okay with being a sell out then.
Purism and Elitism have caused a very real level of stagnation in the music industry. Futuristic Glam Rock bands won't be caught dead using modern equipment to make their music. The same goes for the small scene rock bands that still think you have to sport the "look" of long hair and stained denim. My favorite though, as a sound engineer, are the people who have to have that Analog sound, so bad that they're willing to live with a substandard and dated recording to be "cool". Not that I really have a problem with old equipment and technology being used, but at least do something new with it.
The same is true for the business side of our industry. We're still stuck in the mindset that the only way to build our career is the old "tour till you drop" tactic. While live performance is still an important part of it, there is so much more that can be done to get our names, and sounds, in front of the right people. Why play the game of "this is how it's done", when we can be the innovators of how it CAN be done?
Stagnation is a bad, bad thing. Embrace technology. Embrace change. Quit playing the game and start doing something that hasn't been done before. You might be able to make waves that way.
Showing posts with label growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growth. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The difference between diversification and chasing too many rabbits
Have you ever heard the saying "if you chase too many rabbits you won't catch any"? The logic there is pretty sound, no? If you spend too much time chasing odd and varied goals, it becomes really damn hard to accomplish anything with any degree of success.
At the same time, how many times have you been told that diversification is the key to continued success? Sounds like a contradiction, right? The problem with cliche based advice, in any area of your life, is that no one really takes the time to really understand what it means.
There IS a difference between diversification and chasing too many rabbits. A lot of people don't take the time to figure out this difference though.
An example of chasing too many rabbits might be the guy down the street that fixes motorcycles and runs a lawn care/snow removal service. In a situation like that you may have moderate success doing both, but there's no room for growth because there's no room for serious dedication to either one.
Diversification though is a whole other animal. A good example of diversification is the musician who writes, records, and performs music, but finds other ways to make his talent work for him, such as licensing his music to film, tv, or web. He's still working within his field and can fully dedicate to growth and expansion, but is finding other avenues to generate the income he needs to make that growth happen.
It's a fine line between the two, but it's one that we have to find in order to be the best we can be. To grow beyond the normal limitations of our skill or trade.
What can you do to hang up your rabbit chasing ways and diversify?
At the same time, how many times have you been told that diversification is the key to continued success? Sounds like a contradiction, right? The problem with cliche based advice, in any area of your life, is that no one really takes the time to really understand what it means.
There IS a difference between diversification and chasing too many rabbits. A lot of people don't take the time to figure out this difference though.
An example of chasing too many rabbits might be the guy down the street that fixes motorcycles and runs a lawn care/snow removal service. In a situation like that you may have moderate success doing both, but there's no room for growth because there's no room for serious dedication to either one.
Diversification though is a whole other animal. A good example of diversification is the musician who writes, records, and performs music, but finds other ways to make his talent work for him, such as licensing his music to film, tv, or web. He's still working within his field and can fully dedicate to growth and expansion, but is finding other avenues to generate the income he needs to make that growth happen.
It's a fine line between the two, but it's one that we have to find in order to be the best we can be. To grow beyond the normal limitations of our skill or trade.
What can you do to hang up your rabbit chasing ways and diversify?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A Time for Growth
A time for growth. Yep, personal, financial, and business. Now that I've got a grasp of what's held me back over the years and I've taken a good hard look at where it is that I want to go, I've decided that it's time to jump feet first into the mix.
It's a really good feeling when you finally realize just how good you are a what you do. Conceited? Not a bit. I fully understand that I'm still very much a student of my Art and have so much that I can learn, and so many great Artists that I can learn from. I don't take anything for granted. It never hurts to have a healthy sense of accomplishment in what you're capable of though.
I'm finally in a head space where I feel like I can move forward in my career and with my business. I know what I want and I'm making up for lost time in figuring out how to get it. I mean, come on, we're never too old to stop learning, right? We're never far enough ahead of the game to take a break and let the rest of our industry catch up. I'm finally starting to grasp the concept of working smarter instead of working harder.
It is time for growth. It's time to be what it is that I've always wanted to be. It is time to realize that I'm capable of it and I'm deserving of it. It's never too late to start growing.
It's a really good feeling when you finally realize just how good you are a what you do. Conceited? Not a bit. I fully understand that I'm still very much a student of my Art and have so much that I can learn, and so many great Artists that I can learn from. I don't take anything for granted. It never hurts to have a healthy sense of accomplishment in what you're capable of though.
I'm finally in a head space where I feel like I can move forward in my career and with my business. I know what I want and I'm making up for lost time in figuring out how to get it. I mean, come on, we're never too old to stop learning, right? We're never far enough ahead of the game to take a break and let the rest of our industry catch up. I'm finally starting to grasp the concept of working smarter instead of working harder.
It is time for growth. It's time to be what it is that I've always wanted to be. It is time to realize that I'm capable of it and I'm deserving of it. It's never too late to start growing.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Sum Of Our Parts
Hey Heroes!
It's been a busy week here at the Serious Vanity Music compound, but we're happy with that. It means that the actions we've been taking are starting to pay off. Gotta love progress!!
In addition to it being a period of building and growing, it's also brought up a lot of thoughts that require some serious reflection. Where do we, the we that we become, come from? In essence, to be the sum of our parts, we have to understand what those parts are.
It is a given fact that we cannot change the past, and dwelling there certainly hampers our future, but we can't change the reality that those things helped to shape who we are today.
How can we use that information to help propel us forward in our music careers? I mean, beyond using it as a never ending source for our angst ridden lyrics? How can we tap into the SOUL of our past experiences and make it work for us now? Are we comfortable enough with our past experiences to be open about them and use them as a connection to people with similar life stories, or are we using them as a measurement to know the kinds of people we're trying to escape from?
Either way, coming to terms with the past can help to build a solid foundation to build your future from. It's up to us though. Are we going to be the sum of our parts, or are we going to be the victims of our past experiences?
One way is very beneficial, the other certainly destructive. It seems everything in life presents a new choice to make, and a new road to follow. Even the past.
It's been a busy week here at the Serious Vanity Music compound, but we're happy with that. It means that the actions we've been taking are starting to pay off. Gotta love progress!!
In addition to it being a period of building and growing, it's also brought up a lot of thoughts that require some serious reflection. Where do we, the we that we become, come from? In essence, to be the sum of our parts, we have to understand what those parts are.
It is a given fact that we cannot change the past, and dwelling there certainly hampers our future, but we can't change the reality that those things helped to shape who we are today.
How can we use that information to help propel us forward in our music careers? I mean, beyond using it as a never ending source for our angst ridden lyrics? How can we tap into the SOUL of our past experiences and make it work for us now? Are we comfortable enough with our past experiences to be open about them and use them as a connection to people with similar life stories, or are we using them as a measurement to know the kinds of people we're trying to escape from?
Either way, coming to terms with the past can help to build a solid foundation to build your future from. It's up to us though. Are we going to be the sum of our parts, or are we going to be the victims of our past experiences?
One way is very beneficial, the other certainly destructive. It seems everything in life presents a new choice to make, and a new road to follow. Even the past.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The New Standard Bearers
What is the one thing in life that is certain? I mean besides death and taxes. : )
Change. Yep, the one thing that most people fear more than death or taxes, but what if I told you that change was the catalyst for growth?
It's becoming more and more apparent that there's going to be a major meltdown in the music biz, and it's not going to be pretty. The major labels are pursuing a "Growth By Division" strategy and, as much as it pains me to say it, there are quite a few indie labels jumping on that band wagon. The kicker is that they're all sitting around pointing the finger of blame at each other and waxing nostalgic about the good old days of sold out stadiums and multi platinum sales figures.
Now is the time for change.
Now it the time for growth.
Now is the time to take control of your own destiny and create your own music industry.
In the article that I have linked at the bottom here, it goes on about how technology is progressing faster than the PROs can handle. They're not sure how licences should be applied, and by the time things get ironed out the next technology is sitting on their desk and begging that same question, and all the while you have about 20 hands out waiting for their share.
Is that how we want to operate?
I guess that while they all sit around and talk about it, it's going to be up to us to fix it.
Innovators and Risk Takers, now is our chance! While everyone else is locked up in fear, fear of change, let's make the most of it and use it as an opportunity to set the new standards for the future.
http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/03/musics-copyright-battle-made-worse-by-the-fear-of-change.ars
Later,
Change. Yep, the one thing that most people fear more than death or taxes, but what if I told you that change was the catalyst for growth?
It's becoming more and more apparent that there's going to be a major meltdown in the music biz, and it's not going to be pretty. The major labels are pursuing a "Growth By Division" strategy and, as much as it pains me to say it, there are quite a few indie labels jumping on that band wagon. The kicker is that they're all sitting around pointing the finger of blame at each other and waxing nostalgic about the good old days of sold out stadiums and multi platinum sales figures.
Now is the time for change.
Now it the time for growth.
Now is the time to take control of your own destiny and create your own music industry.
In the article that I have linked at the bottom here, it goes on about how technology is progressing faster than the PROs can handle. They're not sure how licences should be applied, and by the time things get ironed out the next technology is sitting on their desk and begging that same question, and all the while you have about 20 hands out waiting for their share.
Is that how we want to operate?
I guess that while they all sit around and talk about it, it's going to be up to us to fix it.
Innovators and Risk Takers, now is our chance! While everyone else is locked up in fear, fear of change, let's make the most of it and use it as an opportunity to set the new standards for the future.
http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/03/musics-copyright-battle-made-worse-by-the-fear-of-change.ars
Later,
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